Changeable sign



c. G. JONES 2,059,951

CHANGEABLE SIGN Nav. 3, 1936.

Filed June 16, 1936 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 11 {0 gym/Wm C0106. Jane/j v Nov. 3, 1936. c. L. G. JONES v CHANGEABLE SIGN Filed June 16, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES E ATENT OFFICE CHAN GEABLE SIGN Application June 16,

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a changeable sign particularly enabling interchangeable parts to be used in providing automobile or motorcycle license plates or signs, although the principles of the invention may be utilized in connection with signs for any purpose.

One important object is toprovide a novel sign which may be of stream-line form to better match the present trend in the bodies of motor vehicles.

Another important object is to provide a novel sign having end plates or elements with intermediate sign plates or elements therebetween and means connected to the end plates or elements and in a novel manner connected to the intermediate sign plates or elements, and preferably equipped with attaching means.

It is further aimed toprovide other structures embodying the various principles of the invention.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawings:-

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a vehicle license plate constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an elevation of a modified form of the license plate or sign;

Figure '7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a front elevation in a modified form;

Figure 10 is a detail section taken on the line ll!|0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a front elevation of a further modified form;

Figure 12 is a rear elevation of the form of Figure 11, and

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line l3|3 of Figure 11.

Referring specifically to the drawings and first to the form of Figures 1 to 4, a sign is disclosed which may be adapted for use as a license sign 1936, Serial No. 85,617

or plate of a motorcycle, other vehicle, or sign for any desired purpose.

This sign comprises a pair of end blocks l0 removably bolted as at II) to a backing plate l2. Disposed between the end blocks l0 are one or any desired number of sign blocks or elements I I, the blocks H] and i i having their upper and lower edges overlapped by retaining flanges I3 integral with said backing plate I2.

The sign l4 may be superposed on the blocks H or in any other desired manner delineated thereon. Such blocks I0 and H may be of wood, may be of metal, cast or sheet, or they may be of any other desired material. Their sign or display surfaces are preferably convex as shown at 15, and in addition, the end blocks II] are longitudinally beveled or chamfered as at I6. The particular shape of the blocks H! and H impart a streamline shape to the sign as a whole.

The backing plate [2 centrally and longitudinally has a hollow T-shaped bar I! engaging similarly shaped grooves and recesses H8 in the blocks H, and similarly shaped grooves and recesses 19 extending for a portion of the length of the blocks It. Adjustably disposed in the hollow of the bar I? are a plurality of fastenings, preferably bolts 20, which may have square heads or square shanks as at 2| and 22, effectively mounting them within the bar ll against danger of turning. By means of the screws 20, and suitable bolts, the device may be connected to the vehicle or other support.

The sign elements I I may have suitable recesses or sockets extending partway therethrough as at 23. If desired, the plates l2 may be perforated in line with the recesses 23 and screws 24 passed therethrough to more positively anchor the blocks II.

It will be understood, that the proper authorities or parties may keep on hand any desired number of the end blocks and sign elements I I so that signs may be readily made up when desired and so that certain of the sign elements at the end of different periods may be interchanged.

In addition the plates l2 may be made of various lengths so as to be substituted for each other and also so that they may be readily cut off should occasion require in making up a sign.

In Figures 6 to 8, a modified form is shown wherein sign elements ll of the general shape disclosed in the preceding figures is used. Instead of being mounted in the same way as in the preceding figures, the sign elements I l' have T-shaped projections 25 extending rearwardly therefrom. Such T-shaped projections are mounted removably in an attaching bar 26 which is of channel shape in cross section as shown in Figure 7. Bolts 21 are removably fastened in the channel member 26 having nuts 28 within the channels abutting the two end sign elements ll intending to maintain the sign elements in 'effective assembled relation. The bolts 28 may also be used as attaching means to connect the device to a vehicle or other supporting means.

In the form of Figures 9 and 10, any desired number of sign elements are used at H" which are of the same general shape as those at H and H. In this form, the sign elements or blocks II" have transverse slots 30 provided therein and the sign elements by means of such slots 30 are removably strung on an attaching bar 3|, being rigidly fastened to the bar, if desired, by means of screws 32 passing through the sign element II" and also into openings in the bar 3|.

Still another modified form may be used as in Figures 11 to 13. The same consists of a sign body or block 33 of the same general cross-sectional shape as blocks H, H and II". In this instance, the blocks 33 are preferably castings of aluminum or any other suitable metal, and they bear one or a plurality of sign indicia 34 thereon. Midway of the upper and lower edges of the block 33, a longitudinally extending slot 35 is provided in the block 33, the same being of T-shape in cross-section through which the correspondingly shaped heads 36 of attaching elements such as bolts 31 are disposed slidably.

To facilitate application of the heads 36 to the slots 35, the latter may be enlarged as at 38 in Figure 12.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A sign of the class described comprising end blocks, a sign block or blocks therebetween, a backing plate at the rear of said blocks having a hollow bar engaged in correspondingly shaped grooves extending across the sign block or blocks and extending partway across the end blocks, the end blocks having walls abutting the ends of said bar to close the same, and attaching means mounted in said bar and projecting laterally therefrom.

2. A sign of the class described comprising end blocks, a sign block or blocks therebetween, a backing plate at the rear of said blocks having a hollow bar engaged in correspondingly shaped grooves extending across the sign block or blocks and extending partway across the end blocks, the end blocks having walls abutting the ends of said bar to close the same, and attaching means mounted in said bar and projecting laterally therefrom, and said backing plate having flanges overlapping said block at their upper and lower edges.

3. A sign of the class described comprising end blocks, a sign block or blocks therebetween, a backing plate at the rear of said blocks having a hollow bar engaged in correspondingly shaped grooves extending across the sign block or blocks and extending partway across the end blocks, the end blocks having walls abutting the ends of said bar to close the same, and attaching means mounted in said bar and projecting laterally therefrom, and said backing plate having flanges overlapping said block at their upper and lower edges, and detachable fastenings passing through the end blocks and said plate.

4. A sign of the class described comprising end blocks, a sign block or blocks therebetween, a backing plate at the rear of said blocks having a hollow bar engaged in correspondingly shaped grooves extending across the sign block or blocks and extending partway across the end blocks, the end blocks having walls abutting the ends of said bar to close the same, and attaching means mounted in said bar and projecting laterally therefrom, said blocks being generally convex at their display surfaces and the end block also being longitudinally chamfered at the outer ends of the sign.

CLARENCE L. G. JONES. 

